Bolton drivers hit as M60 ranks among England’s worst

A major surveys suggest driver satisfaction is falling across the North West, with one of the key routes used by Bolton commuters ranking among the worst-rated motorways in England

The M60 ranked 30th out of 32 roads included in Transport Focus‘ Strategic Roads User Survey, scoring 63 per cent for overall satisfaction.

Across the North West, overall satisfaction fell from 71 per cent last year in 2025 to 69 per cent this year.

David Wilkinson, of Bolton and District Group of Advanced Motorists, said: “Driver satisfaction, it’s no longer an enjoyable occupation, driving around.

(Image: Phil Taylor)

“It’s only because of the amount of vehicles that are on the road.

“Couple that with the amount of roadworks that are there, the amount of potholes in the state of the roads.

“Driver satisfaction has got to drop, hasn’t it?”

The independent watchdog Transport Focus surveyed more than 9,500 drivers about journeys on motorways and major A roads managed by National Highways.

While the M60 remained one of the country’s lowest-rated roads, the M56 was ranked England’s third-best motorway with an overall satisfaction score of 78 per cent.

The M62 also scored below the national average with 68 per cent, while the M6 received 65 per cent.

Drivers in the North West were also less satisfied with journey times than the national average, with 68 per cent reporting satisfaction compared with 69 per cent nationally.

Mr Wilkinson said: “There are times when I go into Manchester city centre on the train and pass over the motorway and think, I’m glad I’m not there.

“Because of the volume of traffic.”

(Image: NQ)

Transport Focus said the North West performed better than the national average for road surface quality and the management of roadworks, despite the overall fall in driver satisfaction.

Louise Collins, director at Transport Focus, said: “The M56’s strong performance shows the sort of experience road users want, and it is encouraging that drivers in the North West continue to rate road surface quality and roadworks management more highly than the national average.

“The results also show where there is room for improvement.

“Overall satisfaction has fallen in the North West this year and drivers remain less satisfied than average with journey times.”

The A30 and M20 were the highest rated in England, with the M42 and M27 ranked the lowest nationally.

The M61, another key Bolton motorway, ranks at 20 out of the 35 in the figures, with an overall satisfaction of 70 per cent.

Nationally, drivers who travelled through roadworks reported significantly lower satisfaction levels than those who completed journeys without encountering them.